The Chief of Sinners

Are you feeling discouraged about a lost loved one? Read read read...

1 Timothy 1:12-17

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. (vv. 12,13)

Oh Paul. How I relate to this. Do you? Were you (or are you now) an opponent of the gospel? Do you know someone who is? Is your faith growing weary that someone in your family, a friend or a neighbor will ever come to faith in Christ?

Oh, do not be discouraged. If Jesus can save Paul, then Jesus can save anyone.

If Jesus can save me, Jesus can save anyone.

But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (v. 14)

His grace overflows (hyperpleonazō) for those who act ignorantly in unbelief.

This word overflows means exceeds abundance.

Glory to God! Read that again. What does that look like? Exceeding abundance?? An exceeding abundance of grace! Thank you, Lord.

Who are you thinking about? Is your spirit growing faint in faith? Oh friend, no no. Be renewed. His grace exceeds abundance for the lost.

Stop and pray now. Pray for them. Renew your faith.

This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (KJV v.15)

I just love the way this is phrased in the King James. This is a faithful saying! And worthy of, not partial, but 100% acceptance. (And I feel like I give Paul a run for his money on the chief sinner part).

Jesus Christ coming into the world to save sinners. Bottom line. This is what we are celebrating on Saturday. Hallelujah!

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the chief, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those were to believe in him for eternal life. (v.16)

Patience (makrothymia) means long suffering. Slowness in avenging wrongs.

Jesus isn't sitting with his finger on the trigger. He is patient with us. He is slow to avenge our wrongs. I am so thankful.

To the King of ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (v.17)


Read this last verse again. O Praise Him!

I'd love to know what passages are speaking to you today.

How could I be praying for you today? Did you think of someone today when reading this?

Share?

Speaking of sharing, let me introduce you to Jonah - a little acorn of righteousness. Sweet little angel. This picture was shared by my blogsphere friend, Kristen, as one of her favorite things. I'd say so!

Jonah is singing, "Happy Birthday Jesus". This is so precious I could cry. (I bet you did Kristen!!)


Oh, those cheeks!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

I am so thankful that you came and read this today. Love you all.

For the strays...

One day, while running on the treadmill, I am going to be politely asked to leave the YMCA. I'm serious. I wouldn't be surprised if someone approaches me to say that I am disturbing the other participants. Those headphones get me into a lot of trouble. I can really look the fool. Quite embarrassing really. Listening to worship, I've been known to raise my hands, clap, give the fist pump, point to the ceiling. I have even cried. While running, I've cried. So embarrassing. Well, yesterday was no different.

Possibly worse.

I was thinking about yesterday's post and Ezekiel 34....

I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I will look after my sheep.

I will rescue them from the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness

I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. Ezekiel 34: 11, 12, 15, 16

I thought of the Sovereign LORD searching for the lost. For the strays. And how His heart must sink when he turns to find one has wandered. Then He runs. Sprints after them. So there I am running on the treadmill, envisioning the Lord running after me. So I start running harder. Like Jesus. And tearing up. I even put my hand over my heart. Are you picturing this? Running, tears, and hand over the heart. Oh my. Somebody stop me.

The verse says, I will rescue them.
Rescue here means 1) to snatch away, deliver, save, strip, plunder, to tear oneself away, deliver oneself, to be torn out or away, be delivered, snatch away (from enemies or troubles or death), to deliver from sin and guilt, to be plucked out.

Oh hallelujah.

Today, I think of the wandering soul. The believer that once walked in the flock and has strayed. The one who has wandered into days of clouds and darkness.

Just the other night I was laying in bed about to fall asleep when I started thinking back to my past. And I was reminded of some things I had done in those "crazy years" that I had not thought of in ages. Dark. I tinkered around in some dark places. Spiritually dark that is. I really do believe this verse in Ezekiel to be true.

The Sovereign LORD rescued me.

He snatched me right up from those dark places. He saved me from myself. He delivered me from the hands of the enemy and, hallelujah, delivered me from the sin and guilt of it all. That is the best. Not only has he torn me away from those cold places, he delivers me from the shame and guilt that follows. Tears. Fill. My. Eyes. Thank you, Lord.

He searched for me. He left the flock to come and find me. He has bound up my injuries (I sure did have a lot) and has strengthened me, the weak. v.16

So this morning, my heart swells for the wandering soul. I swear I could just scream. THERE IS GREEN PASTURE FOR YOU. A feast fit for kings. Do not let the enemy tell you that you are "too unclean to return. Your heart too nasty." Don't believe the lie that you "don't belong anymore." Don't believe the lie that "everyone else is perfect and you'd stick out like a sore thumb." Baloney. Read my blog and you'll feel much much better about yourself. Talk about imperfect. You're reading her.

This is where my heart for ministry falls -for the stray. I get them. I was them. The one who once received Christ, but lost her way. Scattered and strayed from the flock.

The catch...you have to be willing to be led back. Let down your stinkin' guard. Allow Jesus to woo you.

At church Sunday we sang the song, Majesty. Oh, this song is my life. "His grace has found me just as I am. Empty handed but alive in His hands." He searched for me and found me. Just as I was. No show. Raw and dark. But he wanted me, anyway. He sprinted to find me.

I don't always do this...but if you are wandering around, your life - one big day of clouds and darkness, would you allow Jesus to bind up your wounds? Strengthen you? Be led back? I'd love to talk with you. Email me if you feel led. becky.crenshaw@uscm.org

No judgement here.

I added the lyrics to Majesty. Worship, reflect and be blessed.

Majesty

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

I was that lost sheep...

Good Monday Morning! This morning I found this in the "archives" and just had to share. Think on this...

"I myself will tend to my sheep and have them lie down", declares the Sovereign Lord. "I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak..." Ezekiel 34:15-16

What a beautiful picture. The Sovereign Lord, tending his flock, but he sees one wandering soul and goes specifically for that one lamb. This is a dear illustration to me for I once was that wandering lamb. I still do wander. I allow my focus to stray from the Lord onto other idols. Money. Busyness. Stuff. My kiddos. Brent. Comparison. But, praise and glory to the One who always draws us back and tends to our wounds. How glorious that he doesn't just "let us go" because he has so many others to tend. No, he searches for us.

Thank you Lord that you care so deeply for us that you want not one to perish. Thank you for searching for us. I pray our hearts are willing to be led back if we stray."

Just a thought for your day. The Lord is stirring my heart to write more for tomorrow. We've just had some awesome company this weekend, so sleep won today. Had to catch up. Love you ALL and I am so honored you'd poke your head in on my blog.

Be blessed.